? Lt. Governor Becky Skillman recently awarded a $150,00 Rural Capacity Grant to the Southern Indiana Minority Enterprise Initiative, Inc. The award will fund an entrepreneurial support project which will contribute to the growth of six Indiana counties. The Southern Indiana Minority Enterprise Initiative is a not-for-profit advocacy organization with a mission to increase the number of minority-owned businesses in southern Indiana.
With assistance from partner organizations, the Southern Indiana Minority Enterprise Initiative started developing an African American cultural heritage trail in 2005. The cultural heritage trail will serve Clark, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson and Orange counties. The Rural Capacity Grant will fund a mini-business incubator which will provide assistance to local entrepreneurs who wish to develop related businesses. It will also be used to fund research to identify new opportunities for community and economic projects related to the culture trail.
“Governor Daniels and I are committed to supporting workforce development and rural entrepreneurship projects, which stimulate Indiana’s rural economies. Rural Capacity Grants encourage economic growth and prosperity throughout our state,” said Lt. Governor Skillman. “We look forward to this unique opportunity to help build the foundation for entrepreneurial business development, which will have a positive impact on community and economic development in this area of the state.”
The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the Rural Capacity Grant program, which supports innovative entrepreneurship projects, and workforce/educational projects, in Indiana’s rural communities. Rural entrepreneurial support grants aid rural entrepreneurs with services such as mentoring, training and resources. Workforce and educational development grants bring Hoosiers’ work skills up to globally competitive levels.